Subway Players Cup | 21 October 2026 | Wolf Competitions Stadium
Full-time: Durham Women 0–5 Birmingham City Women
Half-time: Durham 0–2 Birmingham
From a Birmingham City fan’s perspective, this was exactly the sort of away performance to enjoy. The Blues travelled to Durham and returned with a convincing 5–0 victory, combining clinical finishing with a strong second-half display to make a real statement in the Subway Players Cup.
Veatriki Sarri scored twice, Wilma Leidhammar added another before half-time, and late goals from captain Chelsea Cornet and substitute Lily Crosthwaite turned an already comfortable win into a thoroughly deserved rout.
For Blues supporters, the most pleasing aspect was the way the team kept pushing even with the result looking secure. Rather than settling for a routine victory, Birmingham finished strongly and gave the scoreline the emphatic look their performance deserved.
First-half review: Birmingham take control
The opening half set the tone for the evening. Birmingham looked capable of hurting Durham, and the breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute when Veatriki Sarri found the net, with Leidhammar providing the assist.
Just five minutes later, the roles were reversed. Leidhammar scored in the 34th minute, assisted by Marie Levasseur, giving Birmingham a commanding 2–0 lead.
As a Blues fan, those two goals would have been particularly satisfying. Birmingham had established a cushion before the interval and put themselves in a strong position to manage the game. Sarri’s goal gave the visitors the advantage, while Leidhammar’s finish ensured Durham had a much bigger challenge ahead after the break.
At 2–0, the job was far from complete, but Birmingham had given themselves the perfect platform.
Second-half review: The Blues turn a win into a rout
Birmingham made three changes at half-time, bringing on Shannon Cooke, Lily Crosthwaite and Lily Jaynes. The fresh legs helped keep the team moving, and the Blues eventually found another gear in the closing stages.
Captain Chelsea Cornet made it 3–0 in the 78th minute, finishing a move created by Sarri. Just two minutes later, Crosthwaite struck to extend the lead to four. The substitute made an immediate impact on the scoreline and gave Birmingham supporters even more to celebrate.
There was still time for one final flourish. Sarri completed her brace in the 90th minute, with Lisa Fjeldstad Naalsund supplying the assist to make it 5–0.
Five goals, a clean sheet and contributions from both starters and substitutes: this was a hugely encouraging evening for Birmingham.
The late flurry was especially pleasing. Cup football can become scrappy once a match is effectively won, but Birmingham continued to take their opportunities and finished with real authority.
Birmingham City player ratings
| Player | Rating | Verdict |
| Lucy Thomas | 7/10 | A clean sheet is always a positive for a goalkeeper. |
| Neve Herron | 7/10 | Started the match as Birmingham secured control in the first half. |
| Rebecca Holloway | 7.5/10 | Part of a defence that kept Durham scoreless. |
| Maria Harris | 7.5/10 | Helped Birmingham finish the night with a clean sheet. |
| Marie Levasseur | 8/10 | Provided the assist for Leidhammar’s goal before being substituted at half-time. |
| Suzu Amano | 7/10 | Contributed during the opening stages of a commanding team performance. |
| Chelsea Cornet | 8.5/10 | The captain got on the scoresheet with Birmingham’s crucial third goal. |
| Jade Rastocle | 7/10 | Part of the side that established a two-goal half-time lead. |
| Wilma Leidhammar | 9/10 | A goal and an assist made for an outstanding attacking contribution. |
| Geum-Min Lee | 7/10 | Worked in Birmingham’s attacking line before being replaced at the interval. |
| Veatriki Sarri | 9.5/10 | Two goals and an assist. The standout attacking performer. |
| Shannon Cooke | 7/10 | Came on at half-time as Birmingham refreshed the side. |
| Lily Crosthwaite | 8.5/10 | Scored just two minutes after Cornet’s goal to make it 4–0. |
| Lily Jaynes | 7/10 | Introduced at half-time as part of the triple substitution. |
| Lisa Fjeldstad Naalsund | 8/10 | Made an impact off the bench with the assist for Sarri’s second goal. |
| Molly Weaver | N/A | Came on late, with limited time to influence the match. |
Player of the Match: Veatriki Sarri
My Player of the Match is Veatriki Sarri.
The forward was instrumental in Birmingham’s five-goal victory, opening the scoring in the 29th minute and putting the result beyond doubt with her second in the 90th. She also supplied the assist for Cornet’s goal, giving her a direct contribution to three of Birmingham’s five goals.
Her combination of finishing and creativity made her the standout choice. Sarri set the tone for the evening and had the final say, an ideal way to cap a dominant away performance.
Wilma Leidhammar deserves an honourable mention for her goal and assist, while Crosthwaite made an excellent impact after coming off the bench.
Final verdict: A night to savour for Blues fans
Full-time fan rating: 9/10
Five goals, no goals conceded and a brace for the star of the show. A brilliant night for the Blues!
Now onto Sunday’s Clash against Charlton. Tickets are available via https://www.eticketing.co.uk/bcfc/EDP/Event/Index/5788?position=1
Keep Right On